CRIME in Bromsgrove has been cut by 18 per cent, or the equivalent of close on 800 offences in 12 months, official figures just released reveal.

The Home Office's British Crime Survey shows that from October 1, 2004, to September 30, 2005, the Bromsgrove Community Safety Partnership achieved an 18 per cent reduction in comparator crime, which is the equivalent of 796 crimes. This was compared to the previous 12 months of October 2003 to September 2004.

Comparator crime, which includes vehicles, criminal damage, violent crime and domestic burglary, is how the Government measures the performance of each of the 300 plus Community Safety Partnership in England and Wales.

Chief Inspector Charlie Hill, chairman of the Bromsgrove Community Safety Partnership, said: "This is fantastic news for everyone who lives and works in Bromsgrove District.

"Our Community Safety Partnership has been working very hard to make Bromsgrove a safer place. Levels of crime in the district have been steadily falling throughout the year. These latest figures prove how much is being achieved."

The officer added: "We are working on new projects to reduce these figures even further. The Bromsgrove Town Centre Project is the most recent example. We want to make it a safer, cleaner, greener place to shop and relax in - day or night.

"Operation Ocelot, which targeted the anti-social behaviour of 'boy racers' in the town centre earlier in October, was the first part of this project."

Bromsgrove Community Safety Partnership is made up of a wide range of groups and organisations, including Bromsgrove District Council, West Mercia police, Bromsgrove's Fire and Rescue Service, Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust and Worcestershire County Council.